What Are These?

[A. G. Maisey]

There is a very rare type of Javanese pedang that has a kembang kacang and sogokan, in fact, the base of the blade is very similar to that of a keris, and sometimes the blade is waved. I have one, or perhaps two of these. I've been looking for them, but I cannot find them, if I ever do find them, I'll post pics.

These two Bandung pieces are in my opinion commercial creations that have utilised the concept of the pedang type that I mention.

It is difficult to tell too much from these photos, but my impression is that the forge work in the blades in not particularly wonderful---the material looks as if it might have been a bit hot short. The handle on the one without metal;work in the dress looks exactly like the sort of thing I saw in the 1970's; the dress on the more flamboyant of the two looks to be flashy but of no particular quality.

I believe these two pieces to be West Javanese commercial productions from the period after about 1960.